Traditionally, people have been spring cleaning for centuries. Sometimes, it’s as simple as opening a few windows and letting some fresh air after the stale winter air has been in for months.  However, to achieve a healthy home, it’s important to clean and organize your home each season.  It helps you remove unwanted items and restore order to your home, just as the first flowers are blooming. We’ll show you what you need to get started on your spring cleaning without feeling overwhelmed.

Start Small Cleaning your entire house probably sounds overwhelming. Make a plan and start small, one room at a time. It’s often beneficial to start in the bedroom and closets because we often forget how many clothes, shoes, and other junk we stuff in there. Buy the right cleaning and storage supplies Buy the right cleaning supplies.  Start with a good mop and at least two brooms—one for your house and one the garage and the yard. Stock up on cleaners too, such as bathroom cleaners, glass cleaners, and natural cleansers like vinegar and baking soda. Remember to purchase lots of sponges and rags too.  Consider buying some storage baskets or extra shelving too but remember to purge your belongings first or you’re only moving the clutter elsewhere after you clean. Start purging If possible, make a quick run through the house, grabbing anything you know is junk. You’ll do a more thorough purge when focusing on each room. You’ll be surprised what you’ll find in 30 minutes, such as piles of junk mail, broken toys, and old unread books. Decide if anything can be donated and pitch the rest. Get Your Kids Involved Instead of becoming stressed, get your family involved with this spring project. Spouses and children are less likely to complain about “a prized possession” going missing if they realize they haven’t played with it in a year. Suggest donating it instead of merely throwing it away. Kids often pride in organizing some of their possessions and their room themselves. Wash the Walls Before you dive into each individual room, it’s also wise to wash all the walls, especially if you haven’t scrubbed them since last season.   They’ve been with fingerprints, dust, and other dirt so start by refreshing them before anything else. This is just the beginning of our Spring Cleaning and Organization series. For the next several weeks, we’ll be discussing how to freshen up and organize various rooms of the house and finishing the series by sprucing up the backyard. If you would like more tips, please contact Refresh Organizers & Designers at (510) 570-1292.